Thursday, October 29, 2009

Award Winners Announced for 2009 Horror Festival

37 films from across the globe vie for adjudicated genre awards

PROVIDENCE, RI (October 29, 2009) – The eerie, macabre and bizarre in the world of cinema were given their due with the wrap of the tenth Annual RI International Horror Film Festival through adjudicated awards. From an entry base of more than 250 entries, 37 films were screened during the cinematic symphony of horror, October 22-25th at the Bell Street Chapel and Providence Public Library in Providence. Attending this year were the cast and crew from 11 of the films screened during the Festival including "Crooked Lane,” “Happy Face,” “Broom Ride to Salem“ and “Maggots” for their World premieres, along with directors Chase Bailey, Jared Skolnick, Franklin P. Laviola, Amybeth Parravano, Andrew Landauro and Matt Giannini. Author Christopher Rondina was also on hand and spoke about his latest book, “Ghost Ships of New England.” This year’s event was sponsored in part by MGM HD, the Providence Phoenix, WJAR TV 10, and Amtrak.

“Without question, this was a strong year for entries and quality genre films,” said George T. Marshall, the Executive Director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, which produces the Horror Festival sidebar. “One of our ongoing goals has been to refocus the event and create a program with greater community appeal. The use of the Bell Street Chapel helped us achieve that, making the Horror Festival more intimate.”

“With the HP Lovecraft Walking Tour to the horror book signing, we continue to expand our offerings while holding true to the mission of the Festival. The Festival ended in the black and frankly, was enjoyable for all who attended and participated.”

The next edition of the RI International Horror Film Festival will take place October 21-24, 2010.

ABOUT THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALThe mission of the Rhode Island International Film Festival is to discover and empower filmmakers. Held in Providence, and at locations throughout the state, RIIFF is one of only 63 film festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Oscars. It is also New England’s largest film festival. Its innovative programming, cultivated industry ties, and loyal audiences have made the Festival a strategic and desirable platform for film premieres, drawing hundreds of independent filmmakers from around the globe. The next Festival will take place August 10-15, 2010. For more information about the festival, please visit www.rifilmfest.org.

About the Fest

The RI Horror Film Festival is an eerie-sistable salute to an often overlooked genre that will include numerous world premieres of shorts and features including the best of films submitted in competition from all over the globe. We guarantee that you will not see anything like them anywhere else. Plus, many of the filmmakers will be in attendance, so you'll have a chance to network, ask questions and maybe even audition for their next film.